After a two-year long hiatus due to the stop for the pandemic and after a long political and economic crisis that plagued the country, Sri Lanka is restarting its gemstone industry. At the Grand Hotel Cinnamon in the capital city of Colombo, the exhibition “Facets” is coming back with the edition 2023.
The exhibition will be hosted by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Association from January 7 to 9, 2023, in continuation of a true a tradition that has been going on for 30 years.
This first post-COVID19 edition will feature 100 booths manned by leading exponents of Sri Lanka’s most renowned companies and 10 of the most promising small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the local scene.
In an effort to attract buyers from all over the world to the island that has always been famous for its secondary corundum deposits, the organizers have provided an extremely convenient package of benefits consisting of three nights’ free stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel, special VIP Registration and free exclusive daily transportation from the hotel to the fair and back to hotel.
President of Facets Srl, Altaf Iqban, described Facets 2023 as a first way to ensure the improvement of both the country’s economy and the jewelry field. It’s important to remember that since the exhibit will take place in the capital a lot of jewelry experts may decide to visit, hence helping the city’s tourism.
Iqban also mentioned and reiterated how precious stones of rare beauty are mined in Sri Lanka. Just one example above all is Lady Diana’s famous engagement ring, now on Kate Middleton’s finger, where one of the famous blue sapphires known to the market as “Ceylon” shines.
Sri Lanka exported US$294 million worth of gems in 2021 and its industry is employing a workforce of 300,000 people.
Among the most renowned gems include rubies, blue and variously colored sapphires, the sought-after Padparadscha sapphire, spinels, zircons, asterias, and moonstones.
